Fallout (Crank 3)

inside, just as the first bell blares.

Matt pulls away reluctantly. Guess

that’s our cue, huh? He gives me

another quick kiss, slides his arm

around my waist, hustles me toward

the door and the long row of lockers

just beyond. At the far end, Sierra

Freeman has cornered Kyle. Only

his body language loudly says he’s

not exactly frantic to get away.

MATT WALKS ME

To my first-period class—

AP English. Thank God

for advanced placement.

The regular curriculum

would drive me bonkers.

I taught myself to read

before kindergarten.

I lived with Grandma Jean

and Grandpa Carl then,

and books were everywhere.

Grandpa helped me learn

to count. After that, math

was easy. Two grandparents,

take away one (goddamn

cigarettes got him too young)

leaves one. And when that

one goes just a little crazy

having lost her husband

of thirty-nine years,